Where I first fell in love with unreality. I believe I was sitting in
my room—back against my closet—toes digging into my rug—book in hand. My eyes
feasted on the unreality hidden among those pages. It was a fantasy world all
my own. A dark yet starry night. Mountains and valleys. A waterfall crashing to
the depths below. Look closely; see those blinking lights? They are no
fire-flies—they are tiny fairies. Luminous creatures, sparkling in the night.
The most majestic is the unicorn. You can see her standing guard over her young
filly. Gleaming white mane; and her horn—elegantly rising from her forehead.
Purity. Beauty. Magic. Just one glimpse of her takes my breath away. I sit down
on the grass and close my eyes. I hear the mumblings of little brownies as they
head off to work. The screech of an owl—or perhaps it is the phoenix preparing
for a nights rest. The air is warm and smells of fresh life. (November 4, 2010)
But see unreality and fantasy can become dangerous. Do
you ever think about fantasy worlds? I do—a lot. Because I realize that I
escape from reality more often than I would like to admit.
Maybe you should think about fantasy worlds more often—because
I’m willing to guess that you have been in one before.
Perhaps some examples will help you see more clearly. . .
In a fantasy world you can eat an entire
carton of ice cream late at night and no one will notice.
In a fantasy world your husband never
lusts after other women.
In a fantasy world friends never hurt
friends.
In a fantasy world there is no such thing
as abuse.
In a fantasy world your wife is always
delighted to cook dinner for you.
In a fantasy world all Christians live by
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other as
God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
In a fantasy world the books of
Ecclesiastes and Lamentations are not part of the Bible.
In a fantasy world sin can be justified.
In a fantasy world God does not harden
people’s hearts.
In a fantasy world God works everything
out for your personal “good.”
In a fantasy world darkness is safer than
the light.
In a fantasy world you’ve never gossiped
about that “Isn’t she the pregnant one?” over there.
In a fantasy world love takes away all
problems.
In a fantasy world your daughter will
never be diagnosed with an eating disorder.
In a fantasy world your son will never be
charged with murder.
In a fantasy world you can experience
perfection of your own doing.
In a fantasy world no one loves his or
her own sin.
In a fantasy world you can keep the
disgusting side of yourself a secret.
In a fantasy world “just one drink won’t
hurt.”
In a fantasy world you can disassociate
from yourself.
In a fantasy world spiritual warfare
doesn’t take place in the room with you.
In a fantasy world your sin will never
find you out.
In a fantasy world everyone knows what grace
and forgiveness are.
In a fantasy world underweight is
beautiful.
In a fantasy world knowledge equals
wisdom.
In a fantasy world you can earn your way
back to God.
In a fantasy world your parents never
fail you.
In a fantasy world people always forgive
you.
So what do you think? Real life is hard. Real life is not
pretty. Real life is Jesus of Nazareth being cursed to hang on a tree. But real
life is Jesus Christ—our Messiah—dying for our sins, and then three days later
defeating sin and death.
Yes, we will suffer in this world—we are suffering NOW—but
our hope is in the redemption of our Messiah.
To be sure, reality does not look as beautiful as this picture—but please
listen to this:
Reality is worth living; live it
in HOPE.
May 5, 2012
